Man City beat Ipswich as fans boo Premier League anthem

Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to make it seven wins from seven Premier League matches and move six points clear at the top. The game was also marked by supporters booing the league’s anthem in City’s first home match since the club was found guilty of breaching financial rules. [1]

Tens of thousands of fans jeered as the anthem played before kick-off, then chanted for City. Hundreds of inflatable bananas had been placed on seats in the home sections, reviving a fan craze dating back to the late 1980s. [1]

City have appealed against the verdict, which related to financial-rule breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The BBC report says the charges included creating “sham contracts” to inflate sponsorship deals by £830m. [1]

On the pitch, Phil Foden scored in the 19th minute on his return after suspension, his first goal of 2026. He later took an inflatable banana into a Match of the Day interview. [1]

Manager Enzo Maresca said the fans, club and players were “all together on this journey”. He said he had not expected to win his first seven matches in charge and praised the players’ work and progress. [1]

City’s run is their best start to a league season in 129 years, according to the BBC. Only Chelsea in 2005-06 and Liverpool in 2019-20 had previously won their first seven Premier League matches; both went on to win the title. [1]